Cops charged over Bijan Ebrahimi’s death

Three police officers and a community support officer from Avon and Somerset police are charged with misconduct in public office over Bijan Ebrahimi’s killing in July 2013.

Twelve others face disciplinary hearings.

Bijan was beaten, set on fire and murdered by Lee James in 2013 following rumours he was a child abuser.

He had previously complained to police of harassment by neighbours.

But he was arrested after he was wrongly accused of being a paedophile.

Following Bijan’s release, neighbour Lee James repeatedly stamped on his head and dragged the body 100 yards to set it alight.

He was sentenced to life in prison. And a neighbour, Stephen Norley, was jailed for four years after he helped to drag the body away.

The three police constables–Kevin Duffy, Helen Harris and Leanne Winter – were charged with misconduct in public office for “allegedly failing to respond to allegations and calls for help from Ebrahimi”, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

A police community support officer, Andrew Passmore, faced the same charge after falsely telling a 999 operator that he was outside Ebrahimi’s home at an important time, the CPS said.

He is also accused of perverting the course of justice.

The officers are due in court next month.

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